Fuel Cell Inverter Abnormal Stoppage Analysis Method

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to adequately analyze the cause of abnormal stoppage of power supply from a fuel cell device to a power load via an inverter, particularly in cases where the output voltage exceeds a reference value.

Innovation Solution

An analysis method and device that receive the output voltage of an inverter and information on fuel cell abnormalities to determine the cause of abnormal stoppage based on the output voltage and presence of abnormalities, identifying issues in the power system, fuel cell device, or inverter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inverter circuit is controlled to reduce output voltage when overvoltage is detected, then the overvoltage problem is resolved, but the ability to analyze the cause of abnormal stoppage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveovervoltage protectionVSAvoidcause analysis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing abnormality information and output voltage data before abnormal stoppage occurs. The communication device receives and stores fuel cell abnormality information and inverter output voltage information in advance, so that when abnormal stoppage occurs, the cause can be analyzed based on the stored data without requiring additional real-time measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary analysis device that mediates between the fuel cell device, inverter, and cause analysis. This intermediary device receives information from both the fuel cell abnormality detection and inverter voltage detection, processes the data, and determines the cause of abnormal stoppage, thereby enhancing the overall diagnostic capability without modifying the core power generation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If only overvoltage control is implemented, then simple protection is achieved, but comprehensive cause analysis of abnormal stoppage is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddiagnostic information completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an overvoltage protection system and as a comprehensive cause analysis tool. By integrating the communication device that receives both fuel cell abnormality information and inverter voltage information, the same system structure achieves multiple functions: simple overvoltage control and detailed diagnostic analysis, eliminating the need for separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring and storing fuel cell abnormality information and inverter output voltage information, then using this stored information to determine the cause of abnormal stoppage. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from past operations and provide accurate diagnostic information without increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4636873A1Analysis method, analysis device, and power generation system
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4636873A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4636873A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4636873A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An analysis method according to the present disclosure includes a step for receiving an output voltage of an inverter that converts direct-current power of a fuel cell device to alternating-current power, a step for receiving information indicating an abnormality in the fuel cell device when an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell device, and a step for analyzing, when power supply from the fuel cell device to a power load via the inverter is stopped abnormally, a cause of the abnormal stoppage on a basis of the output voltage and presence or absence of information indicating an abnormality in the fuel cell device.